The 2026 Royal Palace Concert ‘100 Performers of Taepyeongjiak (Music of Peace and Prosperity),’ hosted by the Palaces and Royal Tombs Heritage Headquarters of the National Heritage Administration (Acting Head Ahn Ho) and organized by the Korea National Heritage Foundation (President Lee Gwi-young), an affiliate of the National Heritage Administration, will be held daily from May 1st (Fri) to 3rd (Sun) at 7:30 PM at Injeongjeon Hall, Changdeokgung Palace. This year’s Royal Palace Concert will be held at Injeongjeon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace for the first time. Injeongjeon, the central hall of Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, served as the main court where national rituals of the Joseon Dynasty were conducted. Visitors will be able to enjoy traditional Korean music amidst the night scenery of the royal palace.
‘100 Performers of Taepyeongjiak’ is a large-scale performance where 100 gugak musicians take to the stage to musically depict an era of peace and prosperity. The cast consists of 100 gugak musicians, including faculty, current students, and alumni from Ewha Womans University’s Korean Music Department. The artistic director is Kwak Eun-ah, Dean of the College of Music at Ewha Womans University, with Professors Kang Hyo-ju and Kim Young-heon co-leading as composition and music directors.
The concert opens with ‘Sujecheon,’ a representative piece of court music, and continues through ‘Cheonnyeonmanse,’ the Saengso Byeongju ‘Suryong-eum,’ Yeochang Gagok ‘Taepyeongga,’ Han Gap-deuk style Geomungo Sanjo, and ‘Sound of the Night,’ concluding with an ‘Arirang Medley.’ The program is structured to blend court music and folk music, traditional sanjo and contemporary gugak, and instrumental solos with grand ensemble performances.
Notably, several pieces highlighting the delicate vocal tones of female performers, such as Yeochang Gagok ‘Taepyeongga’ and the gayageum creative piece ‘Sound of the Night,’ are arranged to add an elegant touch to the majestic space of Injeongjeon Hall. The final piece, ‘Bonjo Arirang,’ will be performed by all 100 cast members, culminating in a finale where the audience is invited to sing along.
Professor Kang Hyo-ju, who serves as music director, stated, ‘The theme of ‘Taepyeongjiak’ embodies our wish for the peace and well-being of the nation and families. Experiencing our music at Changdeokgung Palace in May will be a special experience where space and music harmoniously blend.’
She added, ‘The program selection ‘Sound of the Night’ is a creative gayageum piece by Professor Hwang Byeong-gi, an emeritus professor at Ewha Womans University. Its inclusion is significant as it showcases the work of an emeritus professor from Ewha Womans University, which has produced the most female gayageum majors among Korean music departments in Seoul. Furthermore, the ‘Han Gap-deuk style Geomungo Sanjo,’ based on a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, will be a program where the sound of the geomungo, symbolizing the music of scholars, will stand out even more on the Injeongjeon stage under the moonlight.’
Detailed information can be found on the Korea National Heritage Foundation website, and inquiries regarding attendance can be made to the royal palace and tomb utilization program information line.
